Part 12: The Greatest House

There was dead silence.

The Forest was dark, filled with shadows of the plants and animals that inhabited it. Mr. Dowson, if possible, paled greatly at her statement. Remus fidgeted with his sleeves on his robes, as Hermione waited for his response.

"Oh Merlin," Mr. Dowson hissed. He looked into her eyes, and she saw the remorse wash over. "I am terribly sorry, Miss. I don't know what to say."

"Well for one, thank you," she said, shocking both Remus and Mr. Dowson.

"Thank you?" He asked confused.

"Yes. Shall I start from the beginning? Perhaps we can go inside to your rooms Remus?" She asked. Remus nodded and looked to Dowson.

"That should be much better. It is quite chilly out here. Will someone see?" He asked hesitantly.

"No. Disillusion Charm shall suffice," Hermione said before cracking it over him. The trio walked to Hogwarts, all senses fully aware for any spectators. They finally made it to the DADA class with ease. They headed into Remus's office, where they both put heavily wards down.

"Ok. So from the beginning. I'm eighteen years old first off, since I had used a time turner in my third year. Have you heard of Ron Weasley?" She asked. He nodded.

"Arthur and Molly's youngest?" He asked Remus.

"Youngest son. They have a daughter a year behind," Remus explained. Mr. Dowson smiled.

"Finally got a girl! Took them a few years, aye?" Remus nodded grinning. Hermione smiled and continued on.

"We had been dating for a little bit. Let's just say he was a tad bit pushy in certain areas. I was Head Girl, and I found him on my rounds with another girl. I went crazy, stormed out of the castle in a rage. Passed by Professor Snape, told him off, and went outside. I sat by the lake a little bit and you bit me on the spot. It was some time in June."

Mr. Dowson sighed and slumped into his chair.

"Indeed," he said lost in his thoughts and memories.

"So, Remus here at the time was my DADA professor. He helped me through the whole ordeal, and we fell in love. I suppose we always had something between us; a bond if you will. But anyway, I had started having my dreams."

Dowson definitely paled. Hermione conjured a glass of water. He muttered a thanks and gulped down. Poor Mr. Dowson, she thought sadly.

"What did you see?" He asked quietly. Hermione gulped and cleared her throat.

"Well. The leading events to the deaths of-"

"Amelia and Amy," he whispered, his eye tearing. She nodded and looked down at the floor. Remus took over from here.

"Kevin," he said softly. The man looked up.

"We think you can help us."

"With what?" Kevin asked.

"Well you see, we've found Harvey." Kevin growled fiercely.

"That good for nothing-"

"Hold on! He's managing a French club in Paris called La Rue. His brother is the bartender. Bateaux and Navarre are doing side business with him. They're trying to restart the Death Eaters." Kevin gave a low growl.

"How could I help?" He asked.

"Well," Hermione said. "We know your wife was an Unspeakable, correct?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Her work is missing. Do you know its contents?"

"Her work? That's right! Before we had gone into hiding, she said she had to do something. She never told me where, when, why etcetera. She couldn't tell me really what it was about; however, she was very confident," he explained. Hermione sighed and glanced at Remus.

"We think we know why they were after you," Remus said. Kevin looked up sharply, hope and question in his eyes.

"Oh?"

"Perhaps they were not after you for the fact that you were all infected with some kind of as they say disease, but we'll call it a gift," he said smirking. The trio smirked to each other at the dry humor. "What if they were after her work? Perhaps it could have taken down Voldemort or the Ministry, or both?"

Kevin's mouth dropped open.

"I am so dumb," he said. He sat up immediately. "How could I not have seen it! It has to be something against the former or the latter. What if the Ministry has been with Voldemort the whole time?"

Hadn't thought of that one.

"This is why we need your help!" Hermione exclaimed. "We can search for her works! Find anything we can, clues or leads! If only we can prove the Ministry had been doing some kind of illegitimate things or working with Voldemort! So many people's lives would be saved. You could be free! It could be a complete coup d'etat!" Hermione exclaimed full of ideas. Remus and Kevin nodded together.

"If you could help us, I'm sure we could change a ton of things. Perhaps if we all meet with Dumbledore, we can make an accord? I'm sure Severus won't mind making another Wolfsbane potion," Remus said standing up. Kevin stood up as well.

"I'll make a decision once I meet Dumbledore. Is he available now?"

"I'm sure he can make himself available for this opportune moment." Hermione led the way to the fireplace. The trio entered the fireplace. "The Headmaster's office."

Dumbledore was just coming through his doorway when they entered. He smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling profusely, as he saw Kevin.

"My dear boy!" Dumbledore said. Kevin walked over to Dumbledore and embraced him tightly.

"It has been to long," he said too the old wizard. Dumbledore nodded and conjured three chairs in front of his desk.

"I figured you three would eventually come by."

"Indeed," Remus said.

Dumbledore waved his hand in the air in some motion, and Hermione felt the wards tighten.

"Kevin, you've heard of the Order of the Phoenix haven't you?"

"Yes," he said clearly.

"Perhaps we can all make an agreement. Would you like to join. I know where your heart lies, and working with these three would have to start by joining," he said kindly. Dowson nodded.

"Excellent. The ceremony shall be this tomorrow evening. Until then, can you sign this?" He asked conjuring a parchment. "Read it over if you may, it's actually very straightforward."

Kevin read quickly, and after a few minutes; he signed. He handed it back to Dumbledore, who ran his wand over it. With a golden light, it disappeared.

"Now we can get started," Dumbledore said. "A contact of mine saw activity commencing in Paris, and investigated. They came back to me, and I initiated a few recons. They created the files, and I gave the new mission to the two smartest members of this Order, who are seated beside you. They visited the club and have come to many conclusions. Harvey is working alongside Bateaux and Navarre. They're dealing drugs, transferring illegal dark artifacts, and are trying to recreate the Death Eaters Organization."

"If the Ministry is alongside Voldemort, the transfer of these artifacts may be overlooked," Hermione added. Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. We must be careful. Careful to hide any of our tracks. Hermione, would you like to inform him of the club and your finding?"

"Well, first I went up to the bartender. He's Harvey's brother, and his name is Marlon. Well, I used a bit of seducing on him and I found a load about who his brother is and what he does. His brother even holds real estate. Then he actually let me, a stranger and newcomer to the club, meet his brother and company. Seduced them as well and had them in the palm of my hand. I said I was a journalist and traveler, who wanted to write about their club. He let go the fact that Bateaux and Navarre are his 'financers.' They all see it as advertisement."

"Very ingenious Miss Granger," he said thoughtfully.

"By all means call me Hermione," she said smiling.

"Aye, then you will have to call me Kevin," he said. She nodded.

"So the night I went there, I got DNA samples etc. I could go on forever. Would you be interested in helping us?" She asked.

"Most definitely. Albus, I am unfortunately responsible for her condition. Can you perhaps ask good old Severus if he can make me a potion monthly as well?" Kevin asked.

"I will. You shall see him this evening," he said smiling.

"Severus?"

"Indeed. He is in fact in the Order," Dumbledore said grinning.

"Who would have thought? Well, he's more self-centered and too upper-class to be kissing a man's robe. It's quite beneath him last time I checked. Hmm, that shall be a discussion," he said rubbing his chin. Remus wrapped an arm around Hermione and smiled.

"Well, now that it is six in the morning, perhaps you three should go out for some breakfast? A little glamour should do it," Dumbledore said.

"Perhaps all three of us should, so people won't ask Remus and I who Kevin is," Hermione pointed. Dumbledore nodded with a wide smile on his face.

"Excellent idea Hermione! If we were in school ,that'd be ten points to Gryffindor."

"Gryffindor as well? The greatest house I say," Kevin added. The other three laughed and nodded.

Kevin conjured a mirror and began to play around with his glamour charms. He made his hair blond and his eyes green. He made himself a bit fuller and taller before smiling satisfied. Hermione changed her hair into straight raven locks with green eyes (she smiled as she did this, thinking of Harry). Remus changed his hair into short dark blond curls. His eyes became gray, and his face more defined.

"We need names," Remus said.

"Indeed," Kevin added. Hermione's mind was buzzing for names.

"How about our werewolf ones? Do you have one Kevin?"

"Indeed I do," he said smirking.

"Tala," she said. Remus spoke up next to her.

"Faolan."

"Ulric."

They all smiled at each other and began to head into Hogsmeade.

When they arrived in the deserted Hogsmeade, they started to head to the 24-hour Three Broomsticks. A few lone witches and wizards walked throughout the streets. They entered and took a seat in a booth near the back. Faolan sat beside Tala, while Ulric sat across.

"I haven't been up this early in a while," Tala said. Faolan nodded as he rubbed his sleepy eyes.

"Perhaps we shouldn't have rendezvoused so early?" Ulric commented. The two across from him glared and shook their heads.

"Yes. New rule," Tala said. "All meetings must be after nine o'clock in the morning."

"Deal," the other two said. Their meals were brought by quickly after, and they ate in silence, each taken by their thoughts.

'Hey Mia,' Tala whispered in her head. Hermione yawned inside her head.

'Yes Tala?'

'Ulric is a very nice man,' she said. 'Oh and congrats on reconciling with Faolan.'

'Ulric is very nice. I feel sorry for him. He lost everything he loved, much like Harry. That should be an oh so splendid introduction,' Hermione said sighing.

'Well the initiation should be good. You have that ball too. And Harry's Birthday.'

'Oi, I've got a lot to do!' Hermione whined. Tala laughed and Hermione's thoughts were cleared.

"Tala?" Faolan asked concerned.

"Sorry, it seems my conscience," Tala snorted in her owner's head at this, "chooses the wrong time to speak with me."

"Ahh yes. My conscience is a distraction as well. And you Faolan?"

"Always," he said shrugging. They finished their meals, and when they walked outside it was a beautiful sunny day.

"Hey Remus, why don't we go to Headquarters?" Hermione asked as they walked back into the wards of Hogwarts.

"All right. We can use the floo in my office," he said. The three werewolves chatted amicably until they reached the hearth. Remus wrapped his arm around Hermione, as Kevin stood beside him.

"When we arrive, do not step out of the fireplace. We have to tell the House you're safe so it will admit you from now on," Remus said.

"12 Grimauld Place," Hermione stated clearly. They felt the pull of transportation before leaving Hogwarts.

The moment they stepped into the house Remus began to speak.

"I Remus John Lupin, allow Kevin Nathaniel Dowson into this House for any purpose whatsoever."

The House released the wards around the fireplace. Harry and Ginny were sitting in the kitchen eating a late breakfast. Ginny's eyes lit up when she saw Hermione. They embraced, and Hermione sat down next to her. Harry stood up and embraced Remus before turning to Kevin.

"Kevin, this is my godson Harry Potter. Harry, this is Kevin Dowson," Remus introduced.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Potter," Kevin said shaking his hand.

"Harry please," he replied backing. "It's nice to meet you as well."

"Ah, yes. Do call me Kevin."

"Will do."

"Harry?" Ginny called.

"Yes love?" He asked turning back.

"Hermione and I are going to spend the day. I'll talk to you later," she said smiling. She walked over to Harry and kissed him hard on the lips. Hermione rolled her eyes. Kevin sat himself at the table. Remus walked over to Hermione and kissed her hard on the lips to.

"I'll see you later?" He asked hopefully.

"Of course. I love you," she whispered only for him to hear.

"I love you too," he replied just as quietly.

"Don't come by the apartment with Harry. We're planning," she whispered again. He nodded. They separated, and Hermione linked arms with Ginny as they headed out the front door.

"We have so much to plan!" Ginny said far away from the house.

"I know. Oi," Hermione said sighing. "Want to go to my place? I told Remus to steer clear."

"Great idea. Let's just find somewhere to apparate," Ginny said. They continued to walk through the suburb until they came across a park. They walked under a jungle gym and crouched low.

"Can we apparate from here?" Hermione said.

"Hopefully," Ginny said smirking.

"We are lionesses after all," Hermione said. "You know where you're going?"

"Yeah. Ready?"

"Let's go," she said before disapparating away. Ginny followed and they landed in front of her complex.

They walked through the lobby and then up the stairs to her own. She loosened the wards and the two girls walked in. Hermione tightened them once more. The sun was shining beautifully in from the windows. They walked into the kitchen, and Ginny plopped herself in a chair at the table.

"Anything to drink?" Hermione asked.

"Vodka," Ginny said teasing. Hermione raised her eyebrow.

"Anything non-alcoholic to drink?" Hermione asked.

"Whatever you got," Ginny replied. Hermione pulled out two colas, as well as pen and paper.

"Ok, so we are going for the surprise birthday party?" Hermione asked.

"Yea. He's going to be eighteen, truly legal," Ginny said in a daze.

"All right Gin, come back to Earth." Her friend just smiled. "Want to have some kind of theme perhaps?"

"How about Hawaiian?" Ginny asked out of the blue. She jumped up in surprised until a wide grin crossed her face.

"Excellent idea Gin!" Hermione exclaimed. Hermione wrote that down as part of the theme.

"Who should we invite?"

"Everybody," Ginny said grinning devilishly.

Ginny left four hours ago after horrendous planning. Harry's party was so planned, there was no room for mistakes. Ginny had planned on taking him out the whole day of his birthday to an amusement park. That would give Hermione and whoever else wanted to help time to set up. Remus came in an hour ago and was now napping in their bed.

Hermione cleaned up all the papers, stuck them in a draw, and carefully warded them so Harry would not find them incase he stopped by. She walked into the dark bedroom, and stripped herself of her cloak. She had comfy shorts on with a big t-shirt on. She crawled into bed and let her head rest against the pillow. She was exhausted. All of a sudden, Remus's hand shot out and pulled her closely to his bare chest. She looked into his eyes and smiled.

"My love," he whispered as he stuck his hands under her shirt. He lightly tickled her back with his finger tips, like he had in the infirmary the day after her bite. She let out a canine purr.

"Where's Kevin?" She asked five minutes later.

"He and Harry actually get along quite well. Kevin knew Lily and James very well, so any extra information about them Harry is of course drawn to. Kevin is a nice guy in general. Amelia would have been in your grade."

"Ahh, I see. Well, maybe he can also act as a father towards Harry. You do a wonderful job, but I am definitely not being his mum. Although the past seven years I've acted like his guardian angel," she said absentmindedly. Remus pressed a kiss to her shoulder.

"True. How was planning?" He asked.

"Strenuous. I'll need your help," she said moving closer to him. He nodded and wrapped his hands on the bottom of her back. He gently began to tickle them again. She got goose-bumps.

"You're putting me to sleep," she whispered before sighing in content.

"That was my intention," he said kissing her mouth softly. "You look drained."

"Thanks," she said kissing him again. "You did this to me when I went into a fit after I had gotten bitten," she added reminiscing.

"Indeed. When you fell asleep, Albus said it worked like a lullaby," Remus answered.

"Mmhmm," she said dazedly. "Your voice is a lullaby."

"So is yours," he murmured. She smiled and shifted her neck onto his collarbone, her nose touching his neck.

"I love you," she said. He kissed her once more.

"I love you too. Sweet dreams."